Background: School Refusal in Japan and Hikikomori

According to a 2023 survey by Japan’s Cabinet Office, more than 1.15 million people in Japan are living in a state of social withdrawal. Among them, approximately 541,000 are aged between 15 and 39, and around 613,000 are aged 40 to 64. This form of isolation is known as hikikomori (引きこもり). While originally seen as a youth phenomenon, it now affects people of all ages.

Particularly concerning is the situation of children and adolescents. About 2.3% of all students in Japan – around 245,000 children – do not attend school regularly (futōkō 不登校). Among them, approximately 33,000 children aged 7 to 17 have already been classified as hikikomori.

Causes include school-related anxiety, bullying, social overwhelm, and psychological distress such as depression and anxiety disorders. Many withdraw completely from school and social life, leading to lasting disconnection and disrupted education.

Even more alarming: in 2024, Japan recorded a tragic all-time high of 527 suicides among schoolchildren – the highest number ever recorded. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among Japanese youth aged 10 to 19.

The FUKURA-AN Project: A Safe Space to Breathe Again

FUKURA-AN is a project by the Three Cranes Association (Switzerland), created for children and adolescents struggling with school refusal and social withdrawal.

The name “Fukura-an” (風蔵庵) can be translated as “A place where the wind dwells” – a safe and nurturing space where young people can reconnect with themselves and others, far from the pressure of school and society.

Our nature-based day retreats are held intentionally without parents or guardians. These days are not about performance or achievement – they are about simply being together: sharing time in nature, cooking and eating together, talking, relaxing, or simply enjoying silence.

The Location
Fukura-an is located in a small fishing village about 60 km south of Tokyo. The house sits on a hill surrounded by ancient trees and shrines, with views of the ocean and Mount Fuji.

The building, with its 300-year-old thatched roof (茅葺の屋根), offers a unique and tranquil atmosphere. Many describe feeling immediately connected to nature and freedom, as if the wind and light itself dissolve everyday pressure and anxiety.

The FUKURA-AN Retreats (March & October 2025)

In March 2025, we successfully realized the first Fukura-an pilot retreat in Japan. More than 30 participants joined from Tokyo to Osaka – including 17 children and adolescents aged 10 to 15, accompanied by doctors and care professionals.

Following this moving first edition, we welcomed a second group in October 2025 – this time 14 children, with two-thirds returning from spring. The group was again accompanied by a small and experienced team of seven adults, including medical professionals. Thanks to the learnings from the pilot retreat, less adult support was needed – allowing for a more calm, spacious and natural atmosphere.

What the October Retreat offered

In response to the children’s own wishes, this second retreat focused even more strongly on stillness, presence, and natural connection – rather than structured programming.

Highlights included:

• Making Swiss chocolate mousse together upon arrival – a shared moment that sparked joy and full participation.

• Preparing lunch outdoors using traditional Japanese Shichirin grills – four small grills were arranged in the garden, where children and adults gathered in circles to cook together. The central element Fire (火 hi) brought warmth, teamwork, and excitement.

• Eating together at tables large enough for everyone to share – creating space for multi-generational conversations and spontaneous exchange.

• A walk to the sea, where children explored freely, caught small creatures, played in the sand and waves, and reconnected with the element Water (水 mizu).

• Calm time in the house: Osero (reversi) tournaments, seashell trading games, quiet conversations, and spontaneous group play.

Children also listened attentively as Kazu Huggler shared her personal journey as a fashion designer working with antique kimono textiles, and how traditional garments are transformed into contemporary clothing – sparking curiosity, especially among the older participants.

A gift to take home

Each child received a small gift – not as a souvenir, but as an invitation to recreate the shared experience at home:
to cook the chocolate mousse again with family or friends, to enjoy a cup of tea together, and to remember the joy of preparing and sharing a meal in good company. Some of the ingredients – such as Swiss chocolate and fresh local eggs wrapped in traditional straw – were chosen with care, to pass on the spirit of the day.

What we observed

This second retreat unfolded in a quieter, more intimate rhythm.
Children who had joined in spring sought out conversation, showed curiosity, and visibly felt more at ease. The atmosphere was marked by mutual trust, joyful cooperation, and deepening connection – both among the children and between generations.

One child shared:

“This time, I wanted to talk more.”

Another:

“I never thought I’d enjoy being outside my room – but I did.”

A parent wrote:

“She smiled in a way I hadn’t seen for months. She came home proud, showing me how to make the mousse, and said: ‘This soup smells like the sea.’ We laughed. Thank you for making us feel not alone.”

Looking ahead

Encouraged by the depth and resonance of both retreats in 2025, we aim to continue the Fukura-an program twice a year.
In addition, we are exploring ways to open Fukura-an more regularly to individual children in small groups or accompanied stays – not just as a one-day retreat, but as a place where children can rest, recover, and reconnect over time.

SUPPORT THIS PROJECT

To continue and expand the Fukura-an Project, we rely on financial support.Every contribution helps us create a safe space for children in need – thank you for supporting this unique project.

Donation details:
Three Cranes Association, Ankerstrasse 1228004 Zurich, Switzerland

Bank: St. Galler Kantonalbank, 8021 Zurich
IBAN: CH85 0078 1626 8687 2200 0

Learn more

If you would like to learn more or attend one of our information events in Zurich, please contact us:

info@threecranesassociation.com